Rubbing and polishing machine.



No. 650,407. I Patented May 29, I900. W. J. MADDUX.

RUBBING AND POLISHING MACHINE.

(Application filed Oct. 2, 1899.) (No Model.)

2 Shets-Sheet No. 650,407. Patented May 29, I900.

W. J. MADDOX.

RUBBING AND POLISHING MACHINE.

' (Application filed Oct. 2, 1899.) (No Model.) I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 UNITED STATES,

PATENT Q'FFICEQ I \VILLIAH J. MADDOX. OF, JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK.

nuesmc- D POLISHING MACHINE.

srn'czrrca'rzonforming part of Letters Patent No. 650, 7,

dated May 29,1900.

Application filed October 2, 1899. Serial No. 732,352. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

tain new and useful Improvements in Rubhing and Polishing Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,

' and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention. relates to improvements in machines designed for rubbing down and polishing surfaces of wood, metal, or stone, and is particularly designed for polishing plane surfaces, although features of the invention are well adapted for use in connection with curved-surface polishers, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

The invention has for one of its objects to provide a machine of this character in which, while the rubbing and polishing operations are performed mechanically, yet they are underthe immediate and direct control of the attendant, whereby the pressure of the rub'-. her and its application to the surface tobe rubbed may bevaried at will and with but slight labor on the part of the attendant.

The-further objects of the invention are to provide a universally-adjustable machine for polishing surfaces of irregular contour or the surfaces of bodies of irregular thickness, to all of which ends the invention consists in certain novel details of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts consti- -tut1ng the workingmechanism of the machine, all as will be now described, and

pointed out particularly in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is-a perspective view of a machine embodyingthe present improvements, show- .in'g its mode of operation and with an object1,.e.,-a table-top-in position to be.

. rubbed and polished. Fig. 2 is a similar view looking at the opposite side of the machine,

but with the object removed.

Like letters of reference 1n both figures indicate the same parts.

The frame or body of the machine as pref- 1 erably constructed and as shown in the accompanying drawings is composed of two side frames-A A, both of which may be'cast from the same pattern and reversed in the machine in order to constitute opposite sides, and, such sides and frames are united by cross-pieces B at the top and O O at an intermediate point. These cross-pieces in addi tion to the shafts to be hereinafter men-v tioned hold the side frames in their proper relative position to support and retain the working parts in position.

upper portion of the machine and to operate and enable it to bemanipulated and presented to the rubber easily and conveniently the following mechanism is preferably employed: Bearings D are formed on each end of the cross-pieces G, and in these hearings are journaled crank-arms E, such arms being prefer ably arranged in pairs and at their outer ends are adapted to support parallel tracks or. ways 'F, upon which a carriage or traveler G is maintained, preferably through the medium of supporting-wheels g, one pair whichmay be grooved, as shown, in order to maintain the carriage in position upon the tracks or ways." The crank-arms E on the and the carriage G supported for instance,

action of the rubber. adapted to be rotated or controlled by hand.

By combining the elevating mechanism with a transversely-movable carriage and rotary table it is obvious that the operatormay by grasping the handle h with one hand and the carriage G with the other so manipulate maybe subjected to the action of the rubber and that the pressure maybe varied with the front of the machine are preferably mounted onthe carriage G:

the carriage that any portion of the object;

The rubber is designed to be located in the or all of 1 thereby simultaneously raising the' screw 2', by meansof which the object-such I as a table-top I -may be se-' curelyfastened in place and subjected to the The rotary table I is v greatest degree of nicety, so as to polish down irregularities and secure the utmost uniformity in the surface being dressed.

In the form of machine shown, which is adapted, as before stated, for polishing plane surfaces, the rubber K is mounted to travel in substantially right lines on a guide or sup port L, being connected therewith by means of the slide'M- and slideway l on the lower edge of the guide L. The ends of the guide L are pivotally connected with .the verticallymovable supports N, held in guides bon the cross-pieces B and adapted to be adjusted vertically by means of the adjusting-screw 02-, held downwardly by the tension of springs or, interposed between said screws and the supporting-brackets B on the cross-pieces B. By adjusting thesupport L at either end it is obvious that the path of travel of the rub ber may b'e made to conform to the inclination of the surface to be rubbed, and should excessive pressure be exerted at any time the posi-te ends of said tapes being the rocker Q and adjustably connected there, with by the take-up drums Q, mounted on said guide L will yield upwardly, compressing the springs n, thereby temporarily relieving such pressure and providing, was it were, a regulator for determining the pressure which may be exerted by the operator in raising the object against the rubber: In the preferred construction the rubber itself is pivotall y connected with its slide m,- as shown clearly in Fig. 1, so as to equalize the pressure over its entire surface.

For the purpose of imparting the necessary reciprocatory movement to the rubber and at the same time provide for a long or short stroke in accordance with the dimensions of the work being operated upon there isp'rovidcd in the lower portion of the main frame bearings for a drive-shaft O and for a counter shaft 0, each of which shafts have suitable cones'of pulleys O thereon connected by the belt 0 forimparting greater or less speed to the drive-shaft. The counter shaft 0 is provided with the usual fastand loose pulleys 0 and the drive-shaft O is further provided or one of its ends with a crank-wheel P, connected by means of a pitman p with a rocker, preferablya segmental rocker Q, journaled on a centrally-supported shaft Q,.t-he connection of the pitman p with the wheel P being made adjustable in order to vary the throw of the rocker, as will be readily understood. This adjustability is secured by mounting the crank-pin of the pitman in a dovetail slot p in, the wheel P and providing the usual head and lock-nuts pin. At opposite ends of the machine and preferably at approximately the level of the carriage there are journaled on the ends ofthe inside frame and intermediate vertical pieces R suitable intermediate shafts S. The shafts S are provided at their ends with pulleys s, to each-of which is attached one end of tapes, bands, or other flexible connections 8', the opfor the crankpassed around be oscillated also; but by reason of the difference in diameters of the said rocker and drums s the shafts will be given a relatively greater angular movement; but by adjusting the position of the crank-pin on the wheel P the extent of such movement may be regulated withthe utmost nicety.

In the preferred construction, the tapes, bauds, or connections U ararranged i be in substantial alinement when the rubber is a in operative position; but it is obvious that if the guideor support L be of curved or irregular shape, so as to guide the rubber in irregular lines, they will still operate to reciprocate the rubber, and hence I do not wish to be limited in this particular.

It will be noted that the. bands-or tapes 3 passin opposite directions around the rocker,

and their tension, aswell as the tension of the bands or tapes U, may be adjusted or main-*- tained by means of the take-up devices-Q mounted on the rocker and forming the attachment for the inner end bands 9'. In operation it will be noted that as the rocker is -rockedor oscillated the bands 8' will be alter- I natively wound and unwound therefrom, the

segmental periphery of the rocker maintain ing the tension of the bands and uniformity of motion throughout the entire reciprocation.

In operation motion is imparted to the ma chine by means of a suitable belt running on the pulleys 0, thereby imparting a rotary motion to the drive-shaft O. From the lat ter rec'iprocatory' motion is imparted to the rocker through the medium of thepitman p,

which reciprocatory movement is imparted to the rubber through the intermediate shafts, their drums, and theflexible connectionsconnccting the rubber and drums and the drums androcker, respectively. The work having been placed upon the. table and properly clamped in position, the table may be rotated to present the work to the rubber in the proper line, and the operator by grasping the handle and carriage, as before explained may raise the work in contact with the rubber and by moving the carriage back and forth control the position of the work, so as to insure a uniform action over the entire surface.

Preliminarily to the actual rubbing operation the support L for the rubber may-be ad- 3' usted by turning one or the other, or both, of the screws n in order to allow for any inequality in the thickness of the object to be operated upon. v

In rubbing or polishing'many substances it is desirable that the surface to be dressed should be supplied with a liquid or with polishing material, and where this is desired a reservoir W may be attached to the support L and provided with a drip-pipe of ,any approved pattern.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a rubbing-machine, the combination with a reciprocatory rubber, and means for operating the same, of a carriage for supporting the work, parallel tracks on which said carriage is mounted extending at right angles to the line of reciprocation of the rubber and elevating mechanism for said tracks;

substantially as described.

2. Ina rubbing-machine, the combination with a rubber and means for operating the same, of a carriage for supporting the .work movable transversely beneath said rubber, parallel tracks on which said carriage is mounted, pivotally-supported arms carrying said tracks and an operating-shaft for swingin g said arms from a more or less horizontal to a more or less vertical position to elevate 'the tracks and carriage; substantially as described.

3. In a rubbing-machine, the combination with the rubber and means for operating the same, of parallel tracks, pivoted arms supporting said tracks, means for turning said arms to raise or lower the tracks, a carriage mounted on said tracks to move transversely of the rubber, and a rotary table mounted on the carriage; substantially as described.

4. In a rubbing-machine, the combination with the main frame, the reciprocatory rubber, the oscillatory shaft connected with said rubber for reciprocating the same, and the guide or support for said rubber, of a rotary table for the work, a transversely-movable carriage on which said table is mounted, pa allel tracks supporting the carriage, a shaft forming the pivots for the-pairs of arms on one sideof the machine and a handle connected with said shaft whereby the arms may be turned into more or less vertical position to elevate the table; substantially as described. v

5. In a rubbing-machine, the combination with the work-support, main frame, and longitudinal guide or way, of a rubber supported on said guide or way, oscillatory shafts at opposite ends of the machine, drums on said shafts, flexible connections between said drums and rubber, and a rocker for oscillating said shafts simultaneously in opposite directions; substantially as described.

(3. In a rubbing-machine, the combination with the main frame, the adjustable guide or support carried by said frame and a work-' support, of a rubber mounted on said aclj'ustable guide or support, oscillatory shafts mounted in the frame at opposite ends of the machine, drums on said shafts, a rockerfor oscillating said shafts, a driven crank-wheel connected with said rocker and means for varying the length of the crank, whereby the travel of the rubber may be varied; substantially as described.

7. In a'rubbing-machine, the combination with a work-support, and the reciprocatory rubber, of a mechanism for reciprocating said rubber embodying oscillatory shafts,a rocker, flexible conm ctions interposed between said rubber and oscillatory shafts and between said shafts and rocker, a rotary crank-wheel, an adjustable crank-pin on saidwheel, and, a pitman connecting said crank pin and rocker; substantially as described.

8. In a rubbing-machine, the combination with a work-support, and a reciprocatory rubber, of a mechanism for reciprocating said rubber, embodying oppositely-disposed oscillatory shafts, a rocker, flexible connections interposed between said oscillatory shafts and rubber and between said shafts and rocker, with take-up devices on therocker for said flexible connections, a rotary driveshaft, a crank-wheel and a pitman interposed between said wheel and rocker; substantially as described. 7 1

9. In a rubbing-machine, the combination with a work-support, and reciprocatory rubber, of oppositely-disposed oscillatory shafts,

pairs of drums mounted on said shafts, a

rocker and flexible connections interposed between said rubber and drums on the oscillatory shafts, flexible connections interposed between other drums on said oscillatory shafts and the rocker and means for adjusting the tension of said flexible connections; substantially as described.

10. In a rubbing-machine, the combination with a work-support and a reciprocatory rubber, withmeans for reciprocating the same, of a guide for said rubber, and independent adjusting mechanism for. opposite ends of said guide; substantially as described.

11. In a rubbing-machine, the combination with a work-support, and a reciprocatory rubber, with means for reciprocating said rubber, of a guide or support for the rubber, slides to which the opposite ends of said support are pivoted, and adjusting-screws for said slides; substantially as described.

12. In a rubbing-machine, the combination with a work-support and a reciprocatory rubber, with means for reciprocating the same, of a guide or support for said rubber, vertically-movable slides to which said guide or support is pivoted at opposite ends, adjusting-screws for said slides, and springs against which said screws bear for depressing the rubber with an elastic pressure; substantially as described;

\VILLIAM .l'. MADDOX.

\Vitnesses: I

MAsoN M. SKTFF, WILLIS Tnw. 

